Bell ringing mechanism and control therefor



Dec. 12, 1933. 5, B MERR|LL 1,938,713

BELL RINGING MECHANISM AND CONTROL THEREFOR Filed Sept. 15, 1927 2Sheets-Sheet l 2; j INVENTOR.

A TTORNEYv 33- s. B. MERRILL. 1,938,713

BELL RINGING MECHANISM AND CONTROL THEREFOR Filed Sept. 15. 1927 2Sheets-Sheet 2 L g o Mnqnsrm Swvrcn E 4 1 INVENTOR.

A TTORNE Y.

Patented Dec. 12, 1933 'BELL RINGING MECHANISM AND CONTROL THEREFORSidney B. Merrill, Cincinnati, Ohio Application September 15, 1927Serial No. 219,786

13 Claims. (01. 177-288) My invention relates to hell ringing mechanismand controls therefor, and specifically to a novel braking arrangementwhich stops the swinging of the bell in such manner that vibra- 5 toryand jerky strains are avoided.

In my co-pending application Serial No. 124,- 921, filed July 26, 1926,I have disclosed a preferred arrangement for controlling the operationof a bell. The system contemplates the stoppage of the bell ringingmechanism at the limits of the swing or stroke of the bell so that jerkyoperation is avoided. At the time of stopping the bell ringing mechanisma brake which is in circuit with the electrical control system isreleased for operation. While the system which I have suggested isentirely practical for a light bell, I have found that for heavy bellinstallations there is a tendency to be a decided jerkand jar justpriorto the stoppage of the bell.

The invention disclosed herein has as its specific object a novelarrangement of wiring and a mechanical combination of parts in a'bellringing system which is in some respects quite similar to the systemdisclosed in my aforementioned co-pending application, but which isdirected toward easing up or preventing the jerk and strain caused bythe abrupt stoppage of the bell motor at a time when the entiremechanism'is moving under its full momentum.

One of my objects is to break, the circuit to the bell motor at a timewhen the bell is nearing the limit of its stroke, which allows it toexhaust its momentum and arrive approximately at the end of the movementbefore the brake isapplied to inhibit further operation of the bell. Thepositions of a swinging bell at its limits of movement are called theinstant rest points of the bell, and in the specification and claimswhich follow I wish this expression tobe interpreted ac- 40 cordingly.

The above and other objects to which attention will be directed duringthe ensuing disclosures I accomplish by that certain arrangement andcombination of parts of which I have shown a preferred modification.

In the drawings:-

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the bell support and the ringingmechanism.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the bell ringing mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a sectional front elevation, thesection being on the plane ofthe line 3-3 of Fig. .1;

Figure 3a is a diagrammatic sectional view as would be indicated alongthe lines 33 in Figure 2, showing a modifiedtype of brake control.

Figure 4 is a wiring diagram showing the electrical control for themechanism.

I have shown the bell 1 mounted on a rotatable shaft 2 journaled inframework members 3. The

shaft 2 has a bell wheel 4 mounted thereon by which the movement of thebell is controlled.

A cable 5 passes over the bell wheel which is driven alternately in onedirection and then the other by a driving pulley 6. The pulley 6 isjournaled on the shaft 7. Pinion 8 mounted on a hub of the pulley 6meshes with a rack 9. The rack 9 is mounted'on cross head 10 which ismoved from one end to the other of asupport 11 and bars or rods 12slidably support the cross head 10. A large gear 13 which is driven by agear train 14 from the motor 15 has a crank 16 connected therewith whichis pivotally mounted on cross head 10. The mechanical constructionhereinbefore described is well shown in the Blood Patent 1,606,464 ofNov. 9, 1926. The only feature to which particularattention is called isthat the crank is so adjusted with relation to the bell that when thecrank is at one limit of its stroke in substantially a dead centerpositionv the-bell is also at one limit of its stroke at an instant restpoint.

Referring now to the wiring diagram in Figure 4 a three wire A. C.circuit is shown having feed lines 17 and 17a. The lines pass through amagnetic switch relay indicated diagrammatically at 18., The outputlines fromthe magnetic switch are connected toth e electric motor 15. Abrake member, the control for which is illustrated diagrammatically at19, is also directly supplied with current from the -99 magnetic switch.Mounted in some conveniently accessible position are the limit switches20, 21, which are shown as being directly supplied with current from oneof the feed lines 17. As the power required for operating a motor .isnormally much'greaterthan would be required for operating the solenoidin the magnetic switch a smaller gauge or independent wire circuit maybe conveniently used for the limit switch circuit.

Briefly the operation of the limitswitch .cir- 100 cuit is to break theconnection to the magnetic switch which in turn shuts off the current tothe motor and brake mechanism.

I propose to control the operation of the limit switch circuit by detentwheels which will chime or ring the bell in accordance withrequirements, but as I have shown a preferred 7 type of detent mechanismfor controlling either chiming or ringing in my co-pending application,I will make no further reference to the llO preferred system here,excepting to say that the switch indicated at 22 controls the current tothe magnetic relay when either of the limit switches is open. The switch22 may be considered a symbol for any type of electrical or mechanicalcontrol which I may find desirable. I have also proposed to connect thehour striking mechanism of a clock to the bell ringing mechanism whichcan be readily accomplished by using a make and break switch for theswitch 22 and operatively connecting it with the hour striking mechanismof a clock. As many churches, schools and other public'buildings havebells therein for straight ringing or tolling only, the use of the bellfor striking the hours gives the effect of a clock without the dial, andincreases the use and value of the bell. Referring now to the mechanicalconstruction of the bell ringing mechanism, the slidable cross head 10has a member 23 or members which engage either the limit switch 20 orthe limitjswitch 21 near its extreme limits of movement. The limitswitches 20, 21, have electrical connectors 24 which are mounted onpivoted arms 25 which have portions 25 which extend into the path ofmovement of the portions 23 carried by the cross head. When the switch22 is opened the circuit to the magnetic switch is not broken until thecross head 10 moves toward the end of its stroke, as the limit switchesare in series each with the other, and in shunt with the circuit throughthe switch 22.v

Mounted on the two rods and the frame of the machine carrying a drivinggear is the brake assembly indicated in Figure 3. The gear shaft whichmay be indicated at 27 has a brake drum 28 mounted thereon. A brake band29 encloses the brake drum and as the brake must be positive and notdependent on sudden cutting off of the electrical system, I prefertohave the brake set with suitable resilient means, as a spring 29' inFigs. 2 and 3, or a weight as in Fig. 3a, being normally set except whenthe motor starts and the solenoid is energized thereby releasing thebrake. The solenoid is in circuit with the motor supply lines. In Figure2 I have shown the solenoid 19 with its core mounted on a rod 30 whichbears on the free end of the brake band 29. The solenoid core has anextension 31 which slides into engagement with a trip 32.. The trip 32whichmay be a gravity pawl is engaged twice during each revolution ofthe shaft 7 of the large gear by lugs 33 which extend from a collar onsaid shaft.

In Figure 3a I have shown a modified arrangement in which the brake isset by a weight 29" on the free end of a lever 30a, the middle of whichis fulcrumed on a pin 30 and has a depending lug pivoted to the free endof the brake band 29. This lever 30a tends to set the brake, but thesolenoid 19a pulls down on the opposite end of the lever and, when thecurrent is on, holds the brake open. This modification also shows a trip32a which only releases the brake setting mechanism when one of the lugs33a engages and rocks the trip.

Within the brake drum 28 and fixedly mounted with studs 28a on a bracket28b supported on the machine frame therein is a ratchet wheel 34. Ininterspaced position about the inner periphery of the drum are alsomountedpivoted pawls 35 which are thrown centrifugally outward when theshaft 27 and drum 28 are rotating. The ratchet wheel does not rotate andthe shaft 27 rotates freely within the hole in the ratchet wheelcarrying the drum with it. When the shaft stops rotating there will beone pawl which will drop down into engagement with the teeth of thefixed ratchet. There are normaly at least three pawls so that one willalways be above the fixed cog wheel sufficiently to drop down by gravitybetween two teeth and so block a reversing movement of the bell drivingmechanism.

The operation of the mechanism is as follows: For purposes ofillustration, let it be assumed that the operator closes and thenimmediately opens the switch 22. The circuit to the magnetic switch isestablished and the bell motor starts to rotate. The bell, which isnormally either in the position shown in Figure l, or in the oppositeposition, when shut down, starts to move. As the member 23 on cross head10 comes in contact with the other member 26 on the limit switch 24, thecircuit is broken. The momentum of the bell and motor, however, keepsthem in movement until such time as the brake is ap plied. Although theelectrical circuit to the solenoid which is keeping the brake fromengagement is broken at the same time that the motor current is shut offthe trip 32 or 32a holds the link 30 or 30a in position until a lug 33or 33a engages the trip and releases the link 30 at which time the brakeis set either by the spring or the weight. The springs 36 mounted on theends of the cross head guides serve to ease the reversing motion. Thiseffect has ordinarily been produced by inserting a spring in the bellwheel cable. 1

The limit switches are so located that the circuit will be open and themotor cut oil at such time as to allow the momentum of the bell to bepractically expended before the brake is set by release of the trip 32.The bell will stop in the position as shown in Figure 1, with verylittle or no jerk or 'jar, depending on the accuracy in placing thelimit switches.

In-bell installations which are usually ponderous structures located'upin church towers the hazard of mechanism which is liable to be 001-lapsed by sudden jars is very great, as abell weighing several tonsdropping from a church tower might cause a bad accident. If the power issuddenly cut off duringthe operation of the mechanism and the hell doesnot go to the limit of one of its strokes for normal braking it willswing until its momentum has been overcome when the pawl brake willprevent a reverse swing in a direction counter to its normal movement.Should the current be cut off during normal operation and the weight ofthe bell cause reversing movement 'of the mechanism, much serious damagemight be done.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patcut, is:

1. In combination with an oscillatable bell and an, electricallyoperated bell ringing reciprocating mechanism, a control systemtherefor,

comprising means for cutting off the current supplied to saidelectrically operated mechanism, and means for mechanically retardingthe operation of the mechanism at a timed interval after the cutting offof current whereby the momentum of the bell is dissipated and the bellstopped as it approaches an instant rest point.

2. Bell ringing mechanism comprising in combination with a belloscillatable between points of instant rest above the lowest position ofthe bell, means for oscillating the bell, means for sir.

actuating the oscillating means, means for inhibition of the actuatingmeans, means for retarding the movement or the bell upon approach tosaid instant rest points, and means for actuating said retarding means,a predetermined interval after the inhibition of said means foractuating said oscillating means.

3. Bell ringing mechanism comprising-in combination with a belloscillatable between points of instant rest above the lowest position ofthe bell, means for oscillating the bell, means for actuating theoscillating means, means for controlling the actuating means, means forretarding the movement of the bell, and means for actuatingsaidretarding means, only after said bell has reached a predeterminedlimit of its oscillatory stroke beyond its lowest point.

4. In combination with an oscillatable bell, electrically operatedmechanism for oscillating said bell, means for controlling theelectrical energization and de-energization of said mechanism, meansnormally inoperative for retarding and stopping the movement of the bellat its instant rest point, and means actuated a predetermined timeinterval after de-energization ofsaid mechanism by said first namedmeans for operating said retarding and stopping means.

5. In combination with an oscillatable bell ,4 and power-operatedmechanism oscillating said bell between points of instant rest above thelowest position of the bell, and devices acting successively uponapproach of the bell to its instant rest points, the first-acting devicein- I hibiting the power operation of said mechanism 35-" andpower-operated mechanism oscillating said bell between points of instantrest above the lowest position of the bell, and devices actingsuccessively upon approach of the bell to its instant rest points, thefirst-acting device inhibiting the power operation of said mechanism andthe next-acting device retarding the move ment of the bell and themechanism for their stoppage when the bell reaches its instant restpoints, and means acting upon said stoppage '-to insure prevention ofreversal of said mechanism under theweight of the bell.

'7. In combination with an oscillatable bell and power-operatedmechanism oscillating said bell between points of instant rest above thelowest position of the bell, means acting upon approach of the bell toits instant rest points to inhibit the power operation of saidmechanism, whereby the bell and the mechanism stop when the bell reachesits instant rest points,

and means inhibited by the operation of said mechanism but permitted toact upon stoppage of the mechanism, to insure prevention of reversal ofthe mechanism under the weight of the bell.

8. In combination with an oscillatable bell and power-operated mechanismoscillating said,

bell between points of instant rest above the lowest position of thebell, means acting upon approach or" the bell to its instant rest points-to inhibit the power operation of the mecha-' from said teeth bycentrifugal action .but engaging with said teeth upon stoppage of saidmechanism to'insure prevention of reversal of said mechanism under theweight of the bell. 9. In combination with an oscillatable bell andelectrically operated mechanism oscillating said bell between points ofinstant rest above the lowest position of the bell, limit switchescontrolling supply of current to said mechanism, and retarding device,one or the other switch and the retarding deviceacting successivelyunder control of the mechanism upon, approach of the bell to one or theother instant rest point, the switch thereby acting to affect the supplyof current for inhibiting the electrical operation of the mechanism, andthe retarding device thereby acting to retard movement of the bell andthe mechanism for their stoppage when the bell reaches the instant restpoint.

10. In combination with an oscillatable bell and power-operatedmechanism oscillating said bell between points ,of instant rest abovethe lowest position of the bell, and devices acting successively undercontrol of said mechanism upon approach of the bell to its instant restpoints, the first-acting device inhibiting the power operation ofsaidmechanism and the next-acting device retarding the movement of thebell and the mechanism for their stoppage when the bell reaches itsinstant rest points.

11. In combination with an oscillatable bell and mechanism operative tooscillate the bell between points of instant rest above the lowestposition of the bell, a'brake operative when set to retard movement ofthe belland mechanism, means for setting the brake, means to release thebrake, retention means to hold the brake released, power means operatingthe mechanism and the brake releasing means, and devices actingsuccessively under control of the mechaism upon approach of the bell toits instant. rest points, the first-acting means inhibiting the poweroperation of the mechanism and the v brake releasing means, and thesecond-acting means inhibiting the action of the retention means,allowing the brake to set-and retard the movement of the bell and themechanism for their stoppage when the bell reaches its instant restpoints.

12. In combination with an oscillatable bell and mechanism operative tooscillate the bell between points of instant rest above the lowestposition of the bell and an electric motor driving said mechanism, abrake operative when set to retar-d movement of the bell and mechanism,means for setting the brake, a magnet releasing the brake whenenergized, retention'means to hold the brake released, limit switches incircuit with the motor and the magnet, and

means to inhibit the action of the retention means, one or the otherswitch and the inhibiting means acting successively under control of themechanism upon approach of the bell to one or the other instant restpoint, the switch breaking the circuit through the motor and the magnet,and the inhibiting means inhibiting the action of the retention means,allowing the brake to set and retard the movement of the bell and themechanismfor their stoppage when the bell reaches the instant restpoint.

13. In combination with an oscillatable bell and mechanism comprising amember reciprocatable and operatively connected to the bell to oscillatethe bell upon reciprocation, rotary 1w tary'means to inhibit the actionof the retention means, and means reciprocating with said member toactuate one or the other switch as the member approaches one or theother end of its reciprocation, either switch, when actuated, breakingthe circuit through the motor and magnet, and the rotating inhibitingmeans being timedto act after actuation of the switch and before the endof the reciprocation.

SIDNEY B. MERRILL.

